Joyce, William

Joyce, William

Joyce, William, 1906-46, British Nazi propagandist, b. Brooklyn, N.Y., called Lord Haw-Haw. Taken to England as a child, Joyce became involved there in the fascist movement. He went to Germany just before the outbreak of World War II and throughout the war broadcast German propaganda in English from Berlin. He was captured by British soldiers in Germany in 1945. Despite his American birth, he was adjudged subject to British jurisdiction because he held a British passport. He was convicted of treason and hanged.

The name Joyce jo(y)-ce is used for females rarely used by males. However, it is currently in greater use by the latter. (The US Social Security site shows that "Joyce" has not been among the Top 1000 baby names chosen for a male since 1946. On the other hand, "Joyce" has been among the Top 1000 baby names for females, and as of 2007 ranks at #831.) It is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "joy". The name has been in use since the Middle Ages.

Other uses

Some models of the Amstrad PCW were also affectionately known as Joyce, especially in Germany; the name is that of a secretary of Alan Sugar, the founder of Amstrad, and was the codename of the machine while it was in development.